I am a secretary here at our center in Japan. I was born in the Family International and have been blessed to be raised with my brothers and sisters in a loving, caring Christian environment free from the violence, crime and perversions that are in society today.

We are not “held” here against our will as some of our detractors claim! And I would not trade this life for anything!

Some of our detractors claim that we do not receive a “normal” education as we are home schooled. I would like to know what they mean by “normal”. I have experienced what they would call a “normal” education going to public elementary school for a few years! The shocking reality hit me when I saw kids being bullied some to the point of suicide, foul language rife, perversions of all kind coming from elementary school students some as young as the age as 6! A lack of respect for authority and fights were a regular occurrence not just between students but between teachers and kids! If this is what a “normal” education and going to a “normal” public school entails then all I can say is NO THANK YOU!

Since they insist that we are abused, I would now like to challenge the public school system and ask who are the real abusers?! What they expose children to in public schools is horrifying! And society today is reaping the results as we see crime, rape, drugs and a lack of respect for life coming from kids who have received a “normal” education and some going as far as murdering their own parents, brothers and sisters! If kids at such a young age lack moral ethics and values then it is no wonder that it is from these kids that we see crime, murder and a lack of purpose in life!

I would like to say that of the thousands who have left our group on agreeable terms to pursue a different life, careers etc… they have found that their education is way above average than their peers and have made an easy transition from our communities and have been praised and sought after in their natural leadership abilities, communication skills, enthusiasm, outstanding work ethic, and Christian values all of which are provided in our Family communities! There are only a handful and let me repeat a handful of disgruntled former members who have failed to move on with their lives and are intent on bringing down the Family and who base their claims on outdated facts and past mistakes which have long been resolved!

Whatever you may have heard please do not base your facts on errant members or disgruntled former members as they do not and let me repeat do not give an accurate picture of the Family!

For if we were to judge the US military in this way then they should all be in jail for homicide, prisoner abuse, torture, rape of their female counterparts and then given the death penalty for desertion. This of course would be madness as the actions of these few do not reflect the standard of the many dedicated, men and women who serve their country!

Finally I would like to say come and see! I will say it again! Come and see for yourself! I say this with conviction and the passion of youth for the truth to be known!

Hikaru Matsuoka (19) is second generation member of the Family International, currently residing in Japan.